Wesley Speights

South Houston HS • Class of 1972

Sponsored by Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP Attorneys at Law.  

Wesley Speights is intimately acquainted with the world of sports injuries, having encountered his fair share of sore muscles, fractured bones, and strained joints throughout his career.

His journey into the realm of sports training began during his teenage years, setting him on a path marked by uniqueness and determination. As a student at South Houston Intermediate, he was handpicked by coach John Phillips to serve as the team manager while still in sixth grade. Subsequently, he transitioned to playing football, initially as a kicker during his eighth-grade year. Upon reaching South Houston High, his athletic involvement accelerated.

Under the mentorship of basketball coaches Gerald Robinson and Bob Perry, Speights assumed the role of student trainer for the Trojans. By his sophomore year, he had become a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and secured a scholarship offer from the University of Houston. Throughout this period, he continued to contribute as a kicker for the Trojan football team.

His collegiate tenure epitomized versatility and dedication. Juggling responsibilities as a student trainer at the University of Houston, providing sideline assistance for the Houston Independent School District, and moonlighting as a part-time trainer for the Rice Owls, Speights pursued his degree with unwavering commitment. Even amid these obligations, he managed to allocate time to work at a local lumber yard.

In 1976, Speights made history as Abilene Christian University's inaugural full-time professional trainer, embarking on a 14-year tenure with the ACU training staff. Notably, his first year at ACU culminated in a memorable bowl game victory at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Pasadena, a feat that garnered attention from the local press and exemplified his impact. His contributions were further recognized with induction into the Abilene Christian University Sports Hall of Fame, a distinction seldom bestowed upon sports trainers.

An assignment as the sports trainer for the USA Junior Track and Field Team in 1980 provided Speights with international exposure, culminating in a journey to Taiwan. Subsequently, he returned to Houston, where he undertook diverse roles with professional teams, tennis tournaments, and the Houston Independent School District. Concurrently, he operated two sports rehab centers and obtained licensure as a massage therapist, catering to a prestigious clientele that included renowned athletes and sports franchises.

His clientele spanned NBA teams like the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Aeros ice hockey team, and the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash soccer teams. Speights' expertise extended to tennis luminaries such as Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Monica Seles, Martina Navratilova, and Andre Agassi, entrusting him with their physical well-being. Notably, he served as the exclusive trainer for Turbo, the Rockets' beloved mascot.

Expanding his horizons, Speights embarked on a unique venture with Cirque du Soleil, diverging from his traditional athletic domain. After an illustrious 54-year career journey, he retired from the training table in 2019, leaving behind a legacy defined by professionalism, versatility, and unwavering dedication to the athletes he served.